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A VPS (virtual private server) is a type of web hosting package that splits a physical server into “virtual” pieces that each simulate a separate server. This gives you dedicated computing resources for more control, better security, and overall faster performance.
A VPS gives you elevated access to your own disk space, memory, CPU cores, and software configuration. It’s like having your own dedicated computer in a data center, but for a fraction of the cost.
How Does a VPS Work?
VPS hosting works by taking an entire dedicated server (or, cloud hosting network), partitioning off individual “nodes”, and running discrete “containers” in those nodes. This is how VPS gives you more power and control, but at a much more affordable cost than dedicated hosting.
Does this mean VPS hosting is “shared”? No. With a VPS, you are not sharing resources with other users on the same server.
You can host multiple websites on a VPS with little to no sacrifice in speed and performance. This is ideal for managing a variety of websites, or even providing your own hosting service as a reseller.
Do You Need VPS Hosting?
If you have noticed slower performance from your website, or you are maxing out your shared hosting account, then you likely do need VPS level hosting.
Entry-level VPS plans provide an instant boost in performance and are not much more expensive than some of the better shared hosting plans on the market.
How Do I Know When It’s Time to Upgrade?
If you are wondering when it is time to upgrade, a stress test can provide specific benchmark data to verify if you are able to handle requests in a timely manner. This simulates a high amount of load on your server to see how it responds and recovers. For more information, see the following guide.
Hosting Comparison Chart
For additional details, see our full guide Shared Hosting vs VPS Hosting | How Do I Choose?
VPS and Cloud Hosting
VPS hosting and “cloud hosting” are often associated terms. However, not all VPS hosting is cloud-based.
Cloud hosting refers to virtual servers hosted in a cluster (an array of networked servers sharing data). With server load distributed among a vast network of computers, there is little to no downtime.
While some VPS containers are still hosted in a single bare metal server, you will find more and more distributed in the cloud.
Types of VPS Hosting
Managed VPS hosting refers to a VPS that is pre-loaded with a control panel, and critical software already installed.
Most hosting companies offer additional management services on top of this hosting stack, so even non-experts can enjoy the benefits of private hosting.
Unmanaged VPS hosting is generally cheaper than managed because you get a bare minimum of hosted services with your package. You get an operating system and a text-based terminal, that’s it. For some do-it-yourself users, this is a good way to save costs and enjoy more freedom. But for most users, the managed approach is worth the extra costs.
To learn more, see our article on Managed VPS or Cloud Server Hosting.
How To Manage Your VPS
The jump to VPS, however, comes with some additional responsibilities. Even a managed VPS is not totally managed. You retain control in a variety of critical areas:
What software do you want to add, and how often to update it.How to manage subaccounts (such as additional cPanel users), and what share of resources to grant.Safety and security of root level access keys and passwords.
Your hosting company can help you set up the correct protocols, but it is up to you to perform much of the day-to-day maintenance.
VPS FAQ
Is VPS Hosting Worth It?
Every website will have different needs. With sufficient optimization, an average site with about 25-50 visitors at one time can run well on shared hosting. However, as your site grows to a hundred or even a thousand visitors at a time, a VPS becomes a necessary expenditure.
Is VPS Better Than Shared Hosting?
On balance, VPS provides the perfect middle ground between entry-level shared hosting and the ultimate power of dedicated hosting.
How Many Websites Can I Host On a VPS?
You can host virtually unlimited websites on a VPS platform. You are only limited to the disk space, memory, and CPU capacity of your container.
If you need more bandwidth, disk space, or CPU, your container can be updated on the fly with no downtime.
How Much Is VPS Hosting?
VPS hosting is a partition of a larger server, so it’s not much more expensive than shared hosting. In general, you could expect to pay $15 to several hundred or more per month than shared hosting—depending on the VPS package you need.
Considering the instant boost in performance, VPS is easily worth the added costs.
How much bandwidth do you get with VPS?
Bandwidth and data transfer in a VPS can range from a few terabytes to unlimited. Just be sure to purchase the plan that meets your expected bandwidth needs. But, there’s no need to worry if you need more bandwidth in the future since a VPS is easily scalable. This means additional resources can be quickly allocated to upgrade the server as needed.
WordPress Hosting VS VPS
You will often see VPS hosting compared with WordPress hosting. What is the difference?
WordPress hosting refers to any hosting plan that has been optimized for the WordPress content management system (CMS).
These servers may be shared or private, but in both instances, you will likely see improved web server caching, PHP fine-tuning, and MySQL optimization.
If you are running a WordPress site, a WordPress VPS gives you the freedom, virtual private hosting, and an optimized server stack for your website.
You now know everything there is to know about VPS hosting. If you have any questions or comments feel free to drop them below.
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